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Applying to Replace Suspended Broward Politicians

It was only a matter of time. After the arrest and suspension of two Broward County politicians in an FBI public corruption probe last week, candidates are now submitting applications for their jobs. Currently, there are two candidates for Beverly Gallagher’s seat on the County School Board and two candidates for Joe Eggelletion’s County Commissioner seat.

More applications are expected to be filed, but the Miami Herald reports on the current field of potential replacements, after the jump.

Seeking Gallagher’s seat: Carmen L. Zaldivar and Joel L. Smith.

Zaldivar, a pharmacist who lives in Miramar, has been a parent activist at Silver Lakes Elementary, Glades Middle and Everglades High, according to the questionnaire she submitted to Crist’s office. The Republican mother of three has a child with autism and has volunteered with autism-related groups.

Smith, a Democrat who lives in Pembroke Pines, is the former director of dropout prevention and alternative education for the Broward school district. He lost his job in a district reorganization earlier this year after 20 years with Broward schools.

Tim Smith and Allen B. Jackson have applied to Crist’s office for Eggelletion’s seat representing District 9, which is overwhelmingly black and Democratic. Republicans want Crist to appoint a Republican to the all-Democratic commission.

Smith, a former Fort Lauderdale city commissioner, is white and a Democrat.

Jackson, who is an African-American Democrat, lost races against Eggelletion in 2004 and 2004. He is senior pastor of Living Word Community Church and lives in Fort Lauderdale.